Valero shuts Texas refinery after hydrotreater explosion

Valero Energy Corporation has suspended operations at its Port Arthur refinery in the United States following a major explosion and fire at a diesel hydrotreater unit. The facility, which has a capacity of 380,000 barrels per day (bpd), was shut down on Monday as a safety precaution while emergency teams worked to contain the situation.

The fire broke out at the 47,000-bpd 243-diesel hydrotreater and produced a blast that was reportedly heard up to 11 miles away. Local authorities via the Southeast Texas Alerting Network confirmed that the blaze has since been extinguished and a shelter-in-place order for the community has been lifted. Valero Energy Corporation confirmed that all personnel were accounted for following the incident.